Elective cesarean after first elective cesarean??? Help!!

[KimmyB]

Hi girls,

I had my little boy via elective cesarean (breech presentation) just over 2 years ago. I'm now 14 weeks pregnant with my second and wondering what I'll do about the birth? Will the choice be mine if I want another cesarean? Or will I be made to try for vbac? I can find lots of info on elective after emcs but not after a previous elective.

I hope someone can enlighten me!

 

[LDC]

Are you from the UK?

As far as I am aware, if you've had one section then you can opt for another, it's only that you can't choose to have one the first time round without a good reason.

I had an emcs and asked my midwife, she tried to get me to consider vbac but I told her no (although I'm not considering getting pregnant again yet). I think they will encourage you to consider vbac but if you stick to your guns they'll agree to an elective, especially if you have a good reason for wanting a section.

My personal reason is I went 2 weeks and a day over, the hospital left me when they were inducting as there was "no space in labour ward" so I was in labour for three days with no pain relief before I was moved to the labour ward. I then I had to have an emcs after a none progressive labour. Baby was back to back and 10lb 1oz. No way I'm risking that again!

Xx

 

[KimmyB]

Thankyou for your reply! Yes I'm in the uk. I am worried they won't consider me for another elective due to the reason for my first (breech presentation) so this one will probably be in the correct position for birth. I have a few reasons for wanting another c section but I don't know if they're good enough?? I have a morbid fear of my baby getting stuck during a vaginal birth and dying. Don't ask me where this fear came from and I know I sound a little mental but it is a very real fear (I also produce big babies!). I also know exactly what I'm getting with a section and found my first one an extremely positive experience. I also found the recovery relatively easy.
I guess I will just have to speak to my midwife when I see her next week.

 

[LDC]

Definitely speak to her, I don't see why you can't when you've already had one before. They may try and talk you into a vbac but just stick to your guns!

Xx

 

[Xlaura_BellaX]

im in the uk and had an elective with my 1st, well it was classed as an emergency but baby was in no immediate danger so it was all calm and lovely, i was due to have a section with my second then, which was my choice. sadly he dies at 26 weeks and i choose to then be induced and had a vaginal delivery, it was amazing

im in the uk too x

 

[KimmyB]

So sorry to hear that, to your little angel x

 

[kimberleyrobx]

I am from Scotland, I had an EMCS August 21st 2011 and I am having an EMCS at the end of February, because I'm still young they were trying to encourage me to go VBAC but I was determined for my section and luckily the consultant midwife agreed xx

 

[KimmyB]

Thanks for your reply Kimberley. If you don't mind me asking, what was the reason for your first section? I'm afraid of coming up against resistance if I'm honest. My first baby was breech and after doing the research there was no way I was having him turned. I prepared myself for a fight but didn't end up getting one thankfully, they just booked me in for my section. However, I went into hospital for monitoring at 38weeks and the midwife asked why I was having a section? I replied that my baby is breech and I didn't want him turning. Her response was, "didn't you even consider natural birth?" in a really patronising tone. IMO midwives are there to support the mother in whatever decision she makes, not make her feel bad for wanting to do the best for her baby.

 

[kimberleyrobx]

She was a big baby born weighing 9lbs 6oz at 6 days overdue, I had high BP, I had stopped progressing, she wasn't coming down at 8cm and she was back to back so I would never have been able to push her out she was so big x

 

[SamsMum]

I'm in a similar situation..... had a breech baby first time round and now nearly 14 weeks with no.2. I have been told it is my choice this time whether I go natural or elective cs.

I'm leaning towards cs, but the midwife told me they will try and sway me towards vbac, but to have a good explantation ready of why i want another cs and it's my choice.

xxx

 

[KimmyB]

Thankyou samsmum! You're the kind of person I've been looking for, someone with exactly the same situation as me. I see my midwife in a couple of weeks so I'll mention it then. I am decided I definitely want a section again, no doubt about it.

 

[SamsMum]

Keep in touch! I recovered really well from my cs.....hence considering it again! xxx

 

[KimmyB]

Me too, I found it a really positive experience will definitely keep in touch. I have to see the consultant at 20 weeks so I'll let you know how I get on x

 

[Annie77]

I had my first section due to placenta praevia and with my 2nd scans showed placenta was Normal so I expected to persuaded into VBAC. However I wAs asked what I wanted. I chose a VBAC without getting the facts first. When I realised at 36 weeks that actually I would be on a mnitor for the whole labour, not be allowed to walk about, or use a birthing pool I asked to be changed to a elective section as with my back problems there would be no way I could lie on a bed for hours etc. The midwife who saw me from 36-41 weeks was a pan and refused to arrange a meeting with the consultant. I eventually snapped, made an appt for 41+1 and got a section the next day.
This time I automatically get an elective section as per NHS Lothian policy.

 

[KimmyB]

Thanks For your reply, glad you got what you wanted in the end. How mean of that midwife! Sounds like some of them are a law unto themselves.

 

[Quartz]

I had an elective c section due to low lying placenta the first time round and at the 20 week scan for DS it was fine. I had a 24 week consultant appointment to discuss birth options. Personally I went into unsure and ended up going for a VBAC but if I had decided to go for an elcs I could have pushed for it and got it.

I went to see the consultants 3 times and each time got someone different - the first one I saw had just had a baby so was probably the reason I went for a VBAC, the next one was very much in favour of another elcs (although I had already made my mind up) and the third would have gone either way.

 

[x Michelle x]

Hi
I was EMCS with Tabitha, due to her CH which caused a neck goitre she actually wasn't coming out the way she was supposed to.. she was basically stuck so it was a mega rush to theatre and she was delivered safely via EMCS.
I was offered the chance to VBAC, but the consultant was honest and said that given the closeness of my 2 pregnancies (1 year between my children) she would have only given me a 60% chance of VBAC and it would've been in a more controlled environment. We also had the risk (1 in 4) of the Hayden having the same condition so we didn't know for sure he would come out or be stuck like his sister as none of the scans we had to detect the CH were conclusive..
In the end i opted for an elective, but Hayden decided to come early so i ended up with another EMCS anyway!

I think just explain your fears to your midwife, ensure they refer you to the hospital and stand your ground hun. My midwife was very pro Natural birth, but once i explained firmly my choice about having a section she was very helpful.

 

[KimmyB]

Thanks Michelle

 

[shambaby]

It makes no difference whether you had an emergency or elective c-section last time - the risk with labour 2nd time around is the scar on the uterus, and that is there either way. The reason for your first does have some bearing on the likelihood of a succedful vbac, but it shouldn't really alter the options you are given. The choice should be yours, but as vbac is a safe option, and avoids the need for repeat surgery, then often that is the option the professionals will prefer. Just bear in mind when you make your decision that 2nd time around the scar tissue from the previous surgery can make things more difficult and complicate the delivery, and whichever way it happens no 2 births are the same, so a good experience and smooth recovery last time don't guarantee the same second time. I'm hoping the reverse is true, too - I had a pretty awful experience with my first and now it looks likely I'll end up with another section, so hoping things will be better this time. Hope all goes well for you, whatever happens x

 

[KimmyB]

Just thought I'd update this thread with the outcome (for anyone googling out there!) I saw the consultant today and I will be having a repeat section. I did my research and went armed with the RCOG repeat section guidelines. When I said I'd like a repeat section I did get raised eyebrows (don't think it's the common choice for obvious reasons) but I stuck to my guns and told him I wouldn't change my mind. I could tell he wasn't happy with my decision but was supportive nonetheless and agreed to my demands. Today I got what I wanted for me and my baby and for that I am proud of myself.